Respirator and the like



April 8, 1941.

J. v. HEIMANN 37.305 RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE Filed March 22, 1937 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. [L70 4 BY JOSEPH VHF/MANN ATTORNEYS April 1941'J. V.HEIMANN 2.237.305

RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE Filed March 22, 193'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR. J05PH l/ fiE/MAN/V ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 RESPIRATOR AND THE LIKE .l'oseph V. Heimann,Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to William J. Wesseler, East Cleveland, OhioApplication March 22, 1937, Serial No. 132,212

3 Claims.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a respirator and the like. Moreparticularly, it comprises a device adapted to be used in various forms,both as a means for protecting the respiratory passageways from dust orgases or the like, and also as a means for preventing the exhaled breathof the wearer from carrying germs to other persons, particularly inconnection with hospital cases and the like.

Heretofore appliances of the character referred to have been difficultto attach, or have been unduly heavy, or have had a tendency to adhereto the face of the wearer after absorbing a certain amount of moisture.Also, such devices have been constructed so that the covering portioncould not be readily renewed, and accordingly there were disadvantagesinconnection with their use. In many of such devices, particularly thoseintended for hospital use, there is no rigid frame, and a band of clothis drawn snugly against the face of the wearer. This has thedisadvantage of becoming most uncomfortable when the moisture of thebreath causes such cloth to adhere to the face. When efforts have beenmade to support cloth on a frame over the nose and mouth of the user, ithas been found that such frame frequently constitutes an interferencewith the vision of the wearer, and is particularly objectionable in theevent it is being used by an operating surgeon. Likewise, when there isnot a close fit, there is a tendency for the breath to form a mist onthe eye-glasses of the wearer.

The present invention has in view the obviating of the diificultiesreferred to, and the provision of a readily applicable respirator, mask,or the like, which may be easily manufactured and which may be suppliedwith a renewed covering as required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light frame of wire orsimilar material, having a pair of spring members adapted to engage thehead above the ears, thereby positioning such frame upon the lowerportion of the face of the wearer, and providing a support for aflexible covering which may be detachably secured thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of thecharacter described wherein a supporting frame is provided, which may bereadily applied to the lower portion of the face of the wearer and heldin position by bows extending over the ears, such frame fitting beneaththe nostrils and having a covering applied thereto, such coveringextending somewhat above the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a readily detachableframe adapted to be applied to the lower portion of the face of thewearer, said frame being adapted to serve as a support for a receptacle,or body, of a gas filter or neutralizer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a freely applicable gasmask providing a support for a gas filtering element adapted to beengaged beneath the nostrils of the wearer, and also serving as asupport for a double-walled covering filled with gas filtering orneutralizing material.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said inventionthen, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain structures embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, how ever, but several ofvarious forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the principles ofthe invention, shown. as-applied to the lower portion of the face of thewearer;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the coveringbeing removed;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the covering member detached from thesupporting frame;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form ofstructure embodying the prin ciples, of the invention;

Figure 6 .is a front elevation of the covering member detached from thesupporting frame shown in Figure 5;

Figure "7 is a front elevation of a modified form of covering memberhaving adhesive tabs as securing means;

Figure 8 is a central vertical sectional view, showing a supportingframe of the type illustrated in. Figure 5, with a covering member andgas filtering and neutralizing means of novel character; and

Figure 9 is a. fragmentary detailed view showing a bracing cross bar fora structure of the type shown in Figure 5.

As is clearly shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the structure ofthe respirator comprises a'frame I and the covering member 2. The

frame is provided at its rearward upper portions with angularlyextending bows 3 preferably having loops 4, such bows being adapted toengage the head of the wearer above the ears after the manner ofspectacle bows to hold the body portion of the frame over the lowerportion of the face of the wearer.

The frame may take various forms, that shown more particularly inFigures 2 and 3 comprising a U-shaped wire 5 at the lower edge of theframe, connected with an upper frame wire 6 by means of a centralbracing wire 1 and a pair of side bracing wires 8 and 9. is preferablycurved intermediate its ends in an upward direction so as to extend to aposition spaced from the base of the nostrils of the wearer, and has acentral outwardly curved area II adapted to fit against the upper lipimmediately below the nose of the wearer. A plurality of stud portions[2 of separable fasteners are firmly secured to the frame, two suchfasteners being positioned at the point of connection of the bowportions of the frame with the body portion thereof, and a pair of suchstud members being also provided at each of the ends of; the sidebracing wires of the frame.

The covering member 2 is provided at appropriately spaced points toengage with the stud members with a series of socket members [3 securedto the margins of such covering member.

The upper frame wire 6 frame structure over the greater portion of its,

extent, but extends somewhat above the lower portion of the nose, and atsuch point is spaced from the frame member and is held in close contactwith the bridge of the nose by means of the separable fasteningelements-positioned at If desired, an elastic opposite sides of thenose. element may be incorporated in the hem of the covering portion atthe point where it extends across the nose to assist in holding thecovering closely against the face of the wearer at such point to preventany obstruction to the Vision of the user, and to provide a moreeffective seal about the margins of the covering.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9, the respiratorcomprises a frame member 2i and a covering 22. The frame member ispreferably in the form of a wire mesh 23 having a lower frame wire 24and an upper frame wire 25. No bracing wires similar to those heretoforedescribed are required, inasmuch as the wire mesh is sufficiently rigidto. satisfactorily main tain its shape. However, a central frame wire 26may be provided to make the structure somewhat more rigid, and, as shownmoreparticularly in Figure 9, a bracing cross bar '21 may be used togive the frame resistance to spreading through long continued use.

In order to afford means for readily handling the device, a pair ofoutwardly bowed wires 28, 29 is provided to supply finger holds for theuser of the device, such finger holds permitting the structure to bereadily applied and removed, with one hand, even when beneath thecovering.

The separable fastener studs shown in the structure previously describedmay' be likewise supplied to the frame of the modified type ofconstruction, and the covering member 22 may be provided with the socketelements 3| of such separable fasteners. The covering member 22 may beextended upwardly over the nose of the wearer at its central portion 32,and the entire hem portions of the covering member may have elasticelements 33, 34 in slightly stretched relation thereto.

In place of providing stud and socket separable fasteners, the coveringmembers may be provided with holes adapted to engage over small hookmembers provided on the frame. If desired, the frame can be free offastening elements, and the covering member may be of the typeillustrated in Figure 7, wherein such covering member 4| is providedwith tabs 42, such tabs having their free portions formed with anadhesive surface, whereby the covering may be applied to the frame byturning such projecting tabs over the margins of the frame and firmlypressing them into adhesive contact with the inner face of the coveringmember, with portions of such tabs and covering elements engaged overthe structural members of the frame.

The masks thus far described may be formed of fabric of fine weave,which, as has been indicated, may be starched or otherwise stifiened toany desired degree. If it is desired to use the device as a gas mask tofilter or neutralize the effects of various gases affecting therespiratory passageways, the covering member may be formed as adouble-walled member 5|, such as is shown in Figure 8, such memberconforming to the shape of the frame member and projecting slightlythereabove to bear against the lower portions of the nose of the user.The frame is preferably of the type shown in Figures 5, 8 and 9, and maybe provided with a receptacle 52 for gas filtering or neutralizingmaterial adapted to be positioned immediately beneath the nostrils ofthe wearer within the central portion of the frame.

With a structure of the type last described having both an outercovering of gas filtering or neutralizing material and an innerreceptacle of gas filtering and neutralizing material, the wearer mayprotect himself against a sudden discharge of gas in his vicinity. Inthe event the gas is of only a slightly objectionable character, it willbe unnecessary to hold the nostrils closely against the inner containerof gas filtering or neutralizing material, and the breathing will besomewhat more free than otherwise. If, however, the gas is of a denseand dangerous character, the wearer can force the mask into tightengagement with the lower portion of the nostrils and will be wellprotected against the dangerous effects of such gas. If desired, themarginal portions of the covering member may be supplied with adhesiveon their inner surfaces in addition to. the elastic within the hems ofsuch covering, so that the respiratory passageways of the user will bethoroughly sealed against dangerous gases.

As has been explained, the uses of the structure above described are ofa wide variety, the devices being adapted for use to prevent dustentering the lungs in case of machinists carrying on various cutting andgrinding operations, or employees working in factories and mills wherethe air is dust laden as from sand blasting, milling, and the like. Itis also adapted for the use of workers in chemical factories and plantswherein dangerous gases are likely to be present.

The device is also of great utility as a preventative of disease germsbeing transmitted, and is particularly adapted for the use of surgeonsand nurses, especially since it is practically free of any obstructionto the vision by reason of the cloth covering being drawn closely intocontact with the bridge of the nose and there being no supporting frameat such point.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the structuresherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, aframe formed of relatively rigid material conforming to the lowerportion of the face of the wearer and having a central portion occupyingthe space between the chin and nose of the wearer, a covering memberadapted to engage over said frame and extend- H ing upwardly beyond saidframe so as to overlie the nose of the wearer, means for securing saidcovering member to said frame, a plurality of vertically positionedoutwardly bowed members secured to said frame to provide finger holdswhereby said frame may be grasped by one hand of the wearer, and meansfor resiliently engaging said frame in position upon the head of thewearer.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, aframe formed of relatively rigid material preshaped to provide asubstantially segmental-spherical shell convex on one side and concaveon the other side to receive therein the lower portion of the face ofthe wearer and having a central portion occupying the space between thechin and nose of the wearer, a covering member adapted to engage overthe convex outer surface of said frame and extending upwardly beyondsaid frame so as to overlie the 'nose of the wearer, said coveringmember providing a receptacle conforming to the shape of said frame andprojecting upwardly over a portion of the nose of the wearer, and meansfor securing said covering member to said frame.

3. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, aframe formed of relatively rigid material preshaped to provide asubstantially segmental-spherical shell convex on one side and concaveon the other side to receive therein the lower portion of the face ofthe wearer and having a central portion occupying the space between thechin and nose of the wearer, a covering member adapted to engage overthe convex outer surface of said frame and extending upwardly beyondsaid frame so as to overlie the nose of the wearer, means for securingsaid covering member to said frame, and a transversely extending bracingcross bar extending across said frame immediately beneath the nostrilsof the wearer.

JOSEPH V. HEIMANN.

